Many feared dead, nearly 800,000 displaced in Philippines
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Manila - Many were feared dead and nearly 800,000 displaced in the Philippines after one of the strongest typhoons on record flattened homes and knocked out power and communications, disaster relief officials said Saturday.
Four people were confirmed killed in Typhoon Haiyan's onslaught, but the death toll was expected to jump as reports trickle in from devastated areas, said Reynaldo Balido, spokesman for the national disaster relief agency.
"Yolanda brought massive damage and almost no houses were left standing," he said, referring to the typhoon's Philippine name. "Many were reported killed and we are trying to get initial numbers so we don't get shocked by the increase."
Balido said 792,018 people were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in evacuation centers, some of which were also damaged by Haiyan.//DPA
